Ian Wright has criticised Manchester United right-back Diogo Dalot for his moment of madness against Bournemouth on Saturday, while also accusing him of disrespecting a teammate.
The Reds were brilliant on Wednesday night in their 2-1 win over Chelsea, but the same group of players failed to show up for Bournemouth just three days later. It simply proves they’re an inconsistent bunch at best.
So often we talk about it being one step forward, two steps backwards. It feels that way again this season.
While Bournemouth were good and played with more desire than we did, United were terrible. Lacklustre at best… Boos rang at the full-time whistle but it wasn’t a performance that warranted any defence.
One moment that stood out for Match of the Day pundits Gary Lineker and Ian Wright was when Dalot wasted a clear-cut goalscoring opportunity for Rasmus Hojlund when he sent the ball towards the side netting.
Lineker began the exchange with Wright on Match of the Day by questioning Dalot’s selfishness in front of goal, saying (quotes courtesy of United In Focus): “There was a moment in the game that kind of summed up why things have gone awry at Manchester United.”
Wright replied: “For me, it was when I saw… It was [Diogo] Dalot, and at 1-0 and we are talking about Hojlund’s come on now and he wants his chance.
“This is good play from them. He gets in, he’s got to square this, he’s got to square it to him. I think there’s a total lack of respect for him, he doesn’t even acknowledge [him]… look at him he’s had a shot from the most ridiculous angle, he’s upset with himself.
“But he doesn’t even look for Hojlund, has a ridiculous shot and then Bournemouth scored a minute later, Hojlund has got to be pulling him up in the dressing room about that, he’s got to say ‘come on’.”
Dalot’s missed opportunity to set up means Hojlund’s Premier League goal drought continues. The Dane has yet to score in the league since joining the club in the summer, although his record in the Champions League has been impressive with 5 goals in as many games.
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